Vehicle storage device

Abstract

A vehicle storage device is provided with a protruding portion on an opposing surface that forms, together with a shaft portion of a hinge mechanism. When a first member or a second member is swung relative to the other, the tip of the protruding portion can abut against the end surface of the embedded portion, thereby restricting displacement of the second member in the axial direction. The state of the storage device immediately after the shaft portion and the embedded portion are fitted into each other is referred to as the fitted state. In the fitted state, the protruding portion is positioned on the inner side of the center of the shaft portion in the fitting direction, and the tip of the protruding portion and the end surface of the embedded portion are separated from each other.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application date of December 2, 2020, the application number of 202011387550.5, and the invention name of "Storage device for vehicle". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a storage device for vehicle having a storage portion which is opened and closed by a hinge structure. BACKGROUND

[0003] A storage device for storing articles in a vehicle cabin is provided on a vehicle. As such a storage device for vehicle, for example, there is the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-89390.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-89390 discloses a glove box as a storage device. The glove box is attached to an instrument panel by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is composed of a shaft portion provided on the instrument panel and a substantially C-shaped insertion portion provided on the glove box so as to be able to fit the shaft portion. The glove box is opened and closed by swinging the storage portion of the glove box about the shaft portion with respect to the instrument panel.

[0005] Both ends of the shaft portion are integrated with a pair of opposing surfaces. On the other hand, a protruding portion protruding in the axial direction of the shaft portion is provided at both ends of the insertion portion. When the storage portion of the glove box is in a fully open state, each protruding portion abuts against the pair of opposing surfaces. Thereby, the movement of the glove box in the axial direction can be restricted. As a result, the shaking of the glove box can be prevented. SUMMARY

[0006] The procedure of attaching the glove box to the instrument panel will be described. When fitting the insertion portion of the glove box to the shaft portion of the instrument panel, it is necessary to arrange the insertion portion of the glove box between the pair of opposing surfaces of the instrument panel.

[0007] However, as described above, the protruding portion is provided on the insertion portion, and each protruding portion is set to abut against the pair of opposing surfaces when the glove box is fully opened. Therefore, the dimensions of the pair of opposing surfaces and the width of the insertion portion including the protruding portion are substantially equal to each other. Since there is almost no gap between the opposing surfaces and the protruding portion, the fitting work takes time. If the protruding portion is not provided, the fitting work becomes easy, but the shaking of the glove box cannot be suppressed. It is desirable to be able to simultaneously take into account the workability of the fitting procedure and the prevention of shaking.

[0008] The present application relates to a storage device for vehicle having a storage portion which is opened and closed by a hinge structure.

[0009] According to the present application, there is provided a vehicle storage device including: a first member and a second member that are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism; a storage portion provided on at least one of the first member and the second member; and an opening of the storage portion that is opened and closed by relative swinging between the first member and the second member,

[0010] The vehicle storage device is capable of shifting between a fully closed state in which the opening is closed and a fully open state in which the opening is opened most, characterized in that,

[0011] The hinge mechanism has: a shaft portion provided on the first member; and a substantially C-shaped insertion portion provided on the second member and capable of being fitted by the shaft portion,

[0012] The first member is provided with a pair of opposing surfaces that are integrated with the shaft portion,

[0013] At least one of the pair of opposing surfaces has a protruding portion that protrudes in a length direction of the shaft portion,

[0014] Within a range of relative swinging of the first member or the second member, a tip end of the protruding portion is capable of abutting against an end surface of the insertion portion, whereby displacement of the second member in an axial direction is capable of being restricted,

[0015] When a state of the storage device in which the shaft portion and the insertion portion are just fitted to each other is defined as a fitted state, in the fitted state, the protruding portion is positioned on an inner side of the shaft portion in a fitting direction from a center of the shaft portion, and the tip end of the protruding portion and the end surface of the insertion portion are separated from each other.

[0016] It is preferable that, when viewed from a direction opposite to a fitting direction of the shaft portion and the insertion portion, a side surface of the protruding portion is inclined in a manner of guiding the insertion portion toward a center of the length direction of the shaft portion.

[0017] It is preferable that, in the shaft portion, a half surface of an end portion on a proximal side in the fitting direction is defined as a front surface, and a radius of the front surface is made larger as approaching the opposing surface adjacent to the end portion of the shaft portion.

[0018] It is preferable that, within a range from the fully open state to the fully closed state, the tip end of the protruding portion is always in abutment against the insertion portion.

[0019] In the present application, a protruding portion is provided on an opposing surface that constitutes, together with a shaft portion of a hinge mechanism. The tip of the protruding portion is capable of abutting against an end surface of the embedded portion within a range in which the first member or the second member is swung. Thus, the protruding portion is capable of restricting displacement of the second member in the axial direction. The state in which the shaft portion and the embedded portion of the housing device are just fitted into each other is referred to as a fitted state. In the fitted state, the protruding portion is positioned on the inner side of the center of the shaft portion in the fitting direction, and the tip of the protruding portion is separated from the end surface of the embedded portion. That is, the protruding portion does not interfere with fitting of the embedded portion with respect to the shaft portion. On the other hand, the protruding portion is capable of restricting displacement of the second member in the axial direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress the second member from shaking in the axial direction without interfering with the fitting work for constituting the hinge mechanism.

[0020] Further, when viewed from the direction opposite to the fitting direction of the shaft portion and the embedded portion, the side surface of the protruding portion is inclined so as to guide the embedded portion toward the center of the length direction of the shaft portion. When the first member or the second member is swung so as to change from the fitted state to the fully open state, the side surface of the protruding portion is capable of gradually guiding the embedded portion, which is displaced in the length direction of the shaft portion, toward the center of the length direction of the shaft portion. It is possible to smoothly perform displacement of the housing device from the fitted state to the fully open state.

[0021] Further, in the end portion of the shaft portion, the half surface on the front side in the fitting direction is referred to as a front surface. The radius of the front surface becomes larger as it approaches the opposing surface adjacent to the end portion of the shaft portion, that is, the root of the shaft portion becomes thick, and thus the strength of the shaft is improved. Further, the front surface also functions as a guide for the embedded portion at the time of fitting. The fitting work becomes easy.

[0022] Further, within the range from the fully open state to the fully closed state, the tip of the protruding portion is always in abutment with the embedded portion. Thus, within the normal movable range of the housing device for a vehicle (the range from the fully open state to the fully closed state), it is possible to always suppress shaking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1 is a view that illustrates the housing device in the fully open state of an embodiment. Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 1 is a view that illustrates the housing device in the fully closed state.

[0024] Figure 2 (a) of FIG. 2 is a view that illustrates fitting of the first member and the second member. Figure 2 (b) of FIG. 2 is a view that illustrates the housing device in the fitted state.

[0025] Figure 3 (a) of FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates the shaft portion and the embedded portion that constitute the hinge mechanism. Figure 3 (b) of FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates the shaft portion and the embedded portion when viewed in the direction of the arrow b of (a) of FIG. 3. Figure 3 (a) of FIG. 4 is a view that illustrates the shaft portion and the embedded portion when viewed in the direction of the arrow b of (a) of FIG. 4.

[0026] Figure 4 (a) is a view taken along Figure 4 Figure 4 Figure 3 Figure 4 (a) is a view taken along Figure 4

[0027] Figure 5 (a) is a view taken along Figure 2 Figure 5 Figure 5 Figure 5 (a) is a view taken along Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 5 Figure 5 (a) is a view taken along Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 5

[0028] Figure 6 (a) is a view taken along Figure 6 Figure 6

[0029] Figure 7 (a) is a view taken along Figure 7 Figure 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, left and right refer to left and right with respect to an occupant of a vehicle, and front and rear refer to front and rear with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, L indicates left as viewed from the occupant, R indicates right as viewed from the occupant, Up indicates up, and Dn indicates down.

[0031] <EMBODIMENT>

[0032] Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1 shows a vehicle storage device 10 of an embodiment. The vehicle storage device 10 is composed of a glove box 30 (second member) mounted so as to be swingable with respect to an instrument panel 20 (first member).

[0033] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The glove box 30 has a lid portion 31 capable of closing the opening 21 of the instrument panel 20 and a storage portion 32 provided on the inner side of the lid portion 31. The storage portion 32 is a space surrounded by the lid portion 31, a pair of side wall portions 33, 33 of substantially sector shape, and a back wall portion 34 opposed to the inner side face 31a of the lid portion 31. Stoppers 35, 35 that protrude in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) to restrict the swing of the glove box 30 are provided on the pair of side wall portions 33, 33. The state in which the stoppers 35, 35 abut against the inner side face of the edge of the opening 21 of the instrument panel 20 is taken as a full open state in which the opening 36 of the storage portion 32 is opened the most.

[0034] In Figure 1 (b) of the accompanying drawings, the glove box 30 in a full closed state in which the opening 36 of the storage portion 32 is closed is shown. The opening and closing of the glove box 30 is performed by the occupant operating a handle 37 provided on the upper portion of the lid portion 31 of the glove box 30.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2 (a) of the accompanying drawings, the glove box 30 is capable of being linked with respect to the instrument panel 20 by the first hinge mechanism 11 and the second hinge mechanism 12.

[0036] The first hinge mechanism 11 has a first shaft portion 40 provided near the lower right corner of the opening 21 of the instrument panel 20 and a first fitting portion 50 provided at the lower right corner of the inner surface 31a of the lid portion 31 of the glove box 30 and capable of fitting the first shaft portion 40. Alternatively, the first fitting portion 50 can be provided on the instrument panel 20 and the first shaft portion 40 can be provided on the glove box 30.

[0037] Similarly, the second hinge mechanism 12 has a second shaft portion 71 provided near the lower left corner of the opening 21 and a second fitting portion 72 capable of fitting the second shaft portion 71. By fitting the fitting portions 50, 72 with respect to the shaft portions 40, 71, the glove box 30 is mounted so as to be capable of swinging with respect to the instrument panel 20.

[0038] Figure 2 (b) of the accompanying drawings shows the glove box 30 in a fitted state immediately after the fitting of the fitting portions 50, 72 with respect to the shaft portions 40, 71.

[0039] Referring to Figure 3 (a) of the accompanying drawings, a first opposing face 22 and a second opposing face 23 (a pair of opposing faces) are provided on the lower portion of the instrument panel 20 so as to be opposed to each other. The first shaft portion 40 is formed from the first opposing face 22 to the second opposing face 23. The first shaft portion 40 and the first opposing face 22 and the second opposing face 23 are integrated. The axis L1 of the first shaft portion 40 extends in the left-right direction. An upper portion storage hole capable of storing the upper portion of the first fitting portion 50 when fitted is provided above the first shaft portion 40.

[0040] The first insertion portion 50 is substantially C-shaped, and has a first face 51 that becomes an entrance when being fitted, a second face 52, a first end face 53 that opposes the first opposing face 22 after being fitted, and a second end face 54 that opposes the second opposing face 23.

[0041] Referring to Figure 3 (a) of FIG. 10, Figure 4 (b) of FIG. 11. The cross section of the first shaft portion 40 is substantially U-shaped, and is composed of a curved portion 41 that slides against the inner peripheral face 55 of the first insertion portion 50 when the glove box 30 is swung, and a first guide portion 42 and a second guide portion 43 that extend forward from both ends of the curved portion 41 and guide fitting. When being fitted, the end of the first face 51 of the first insertion portion 50 abuts against the upper face 42a of the first guide portion 42. Similarly, the end of the second face 52 abuts against the lower face 43a of the second guide portion 43.

[0042] Hereinafter, the direction along the upper face 42a of the first guide portion 42 will be referred to as the fitting direction (refer to arrow (1)). Furthermore, when viewed from the direction along the axis L1 of the first hinge mechanism 11 (refer to arrow (2) of FIG. 10), the line that extends along the up-and-down direction (direction perpendicular to the upper face 42a) and passes through the axis L1 is set as a reference line L2. In addition, with the reference line L2 as a boundary, the near side in the fitting direction is referred to as the near side, and the back side in the fitting direction is referred to as the back side. Figure 4 Referring to

[0043] (b) of FIG. 12, Figure 4 (c) of FIG. 13. The half surface of the first end portion 44 of the first shaft portion 40 on the near side in the fitting direction is referred to as a first front surface 45. The first front surface 45 is composed of an upper inclined face 45a that is inclined with respect to the upper face 42a, an outer peripheral face 45b that is provided along the curved portion 41, and a lower inclined face 45c that is inclined with respect to the lower face 43a. Figure 4 The portion of the first end portion 44 that includes the outer peripheral face 45b is in a conical frustum shape. The radius R1 of the outer peripheral face 45b (radius of the first front surface 45) becomes larger as it approaches the first opposing face 22 adjacent to the first end portion 44. The radius R1 of the outer peripheral face 45b is larger than the radius R2 of the curved portion 41. In addition, the first front surface 45 can also be a curved surface. In addition, with the center in the length direction of the first shaft portion 40 as a reference (refer to arrow (2) of FIG. 10), the second front surface 47 is a structure that is left-right symmetrical to the first front surface 45. The detailed explanation of the second front surface 47 is omitted. The explanation of the structure and the function of the first front surface 45 is also applicable to the explanation of the second front surface 47.

[0044] Figure 3 Referring to (a) of FIG. 14,

[0045] (b) of FIG. 15. The second front surface 47 is a structure that is left-right symmetrical to the first front surface 45. The detailed explanation of the second front surface 47 is omitted. The explanation of the structure and the function of the first front surface 45 is also applicable to the explanation of the second front surface 47. Figure 3 Figure 4 ​(b) The first opposing surface 22 has a first protrusion 60 that protrudes along the length of the first shaft portion 40. The first protrusion 60 is located inside the fitting direction of the reference line L2. The first protrusion 60 is integral with the first shaft portion 40 and the first opposing surface 22. Furthermore, the boundary line L3 represents the imaginary boundary between the first protrusion 60 and the first shaft portion 40.

[0046] Reference Figure 4 (a). When viewed from a direction opposite to the fitting direction, the upper surface 61 (side surface) of the first protrusion 60 is inclined in a manner that it approaches the axis L1 as it moves toward the center of the first shaft portion 40 along its length. The inclination angle θ1 of the upper surface 61 and the inclination angle θ2 of the upper inclined surface 45a (refer to...) Figure 4 (c) is the same. When viewed from the direction along axis L1 (refer to...). Figure 4 (b) The lower surface 63 of the first protrusion 60 and the lower surface 42b of the first guide 42 are located on the same plane.

[0047] Reference Figure 3 (b) The second opposing surface 23 has a second protrusion 80 that protrudes along the length direction of the first axial portion 40. With the center of the first axial portion 40 along its length direction as a reference, the second protrusion 80 is approximately symmetrical to the first protrusion 60. A detailed description of the second protrusion 80 is omitted. The description of the structure and function of the first protrusion 60 also applies to the description of the second protrusion 80.

[0048] Next, regarding the interlocking state (refer to...) Figure 2 (b) of the fully open state (refer to) Figure 1 (a) of the fully closed state (refer to) Figure 1 The structure of the first hinge mechanism 11 under (b) will be described.

[0049] Reference Figure 5 of (a), Figure 5 (b) In the engaged state (a state in which the storage box 30 does not swing after engagement), the end 62 of the first protrusion 60 is separated from the first end face 53 of the first insert 50. The end 62 of the first protrusion 60 is located further from the second opposing surface 23 than the first end face 53. In addition, in the engaged state, the upper surface 61 of the first protrusion 60 and the first insert 50 can abut against each other or be separated.

[0050] Next, as Figure 5 As indicated by arrow (2) in (a), the storage box 30 swings upwards. Figure 6 As shown in (a), when the swinging begins, the lower end 53a of the first end face 53 of the first embedded part 50 contacts the upper surface 61 of the first protrusion 60, and then, as Figure 6As shown in (b), it begins to slide relative to the upper surface 61.

[0051] As the swing continues, such as Figure 5 (c) Figure 5 As shown in (d), the storage box 30 is in the fully open state. In the fully open state, the end 62 of the first protrusion 60 abuts against the first end face 53.

[0052] Moreover, such as Figure 5 As indicated by arrow (3) in (c), when the storage box 30 is swung upwards from the fully open state, it becomes the fully closed state (see reference). Figure 5 of (e) Figure 5 (f)

[0053] From the fully open state (refer to) Figure 5 (d) to the fully closed state (refer to) Figure 5 Within the range of (f), the end 62 of the first protrusion 60 and the first end face 53 are always in contact. Alternatively, the end 62 of the first protrusion 60 may be in contact with the first end face 53 within at least a portion of the range from the fully open state to the fully closed state.

[0054] The effects of the embodiments are explained.

[0055] Reference Figure 5 of (a), Figure 5 (b) The first protrusion 60 is located on the inner side in the fitting direction. Furthermore, in the fitted state, the end 62 of the first protrusion 60 separates from the first end face 53. That is, when the first insert 50 is fitted relative to the first shaft portion 40, the first protrusion 60 does not obstruct the fitting. On the other hand, as Figure 5 (c)~ Figure 7 As shown in (f), within the range of fully open and fully closed states, the first protrusion 60 can limit the displacement of the first insert 50 in the direction of axis L1. This does not hinder the inserting operation used to form the first hinge mechanism 11 and can suppress axial swaying of the storage box 30.

[0056] The position of the first protrusion 60 is supplemented. Figure 7 (a) and Figure 3The shaft portion 40A and the fitting portion 50A in the fitted state are schematically shown in (b) of FIG. 6. The region 22Aa is a region in the first opposing surface 22A that is not opposed to the first end surface 53A in the fitted state and that can be opposed to the first end surface 53A when the glove box 30 is swung. If at least a part of the first protruding portion 60A is located in the region 22Aa, the first protruding portion 60A does not interfere with the fitting. Of course, the first protruding portion 60A is intended to prevent the shake when the glove box 30A is swung. Therefore, as long as the usual movable range of the glove box 30A (the range between the fully closed state and the fully open state), the position of the first protruding portion 60A in the region 22Aa is appropriately changed.

[0057] Referring to Figure 3 (a) of FIG. 1, Figure 2 (b) of FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 60 is provided on the first opposing surface 22 and the second protruding portion 80 is provided on the second opposing surface 23, but a structure in which only one protruding portion is provided is also possible. That is, one or two protruding portions can be provided to one hinge mechanism. In addition, the second hinge mechanism 12 (refer to (a) of FIG. 3) is also provided with one protruding portion. The detailed explanation is omitted. Figure 6

[0058] Referring to Figure 6 (a) of FIG. 5. The upper surface 61 of the first protruding portion 60 is inclined so as to approach the axis L1 as it approaches the center in the length direction of the first shaft portion 40. When the glove box 30 starts to be swung, the lower end 53a of the first end surface 53 abuts against the upper surface 61, and then starts to slide with respect to the upper surface 61. Similarly, the lower end 54a of the second end surface 54 abuts against the upper surface 82, and then starts to slide with respect to the upper surface 61.

[0059] Referring to Figure 3 (b) of FIG. 6. The first end surface 53 gradually moves toward the center of the first shaft portion 40 as it is swung. Therefore, as the glove box 30 is swung so as to change from the fitted state to the fully open state, the first fitting portion 50 is gradually guided toward the center in the length direction of the first shaft portion 40. In comparison with the case where the upper surface 61 is not inclined (for example, the case where the upper surface 61 is perpendicular to the first opposing surface), the swing of the glove box 30 from the fitted state to the fully open state can be smoothly performed.

[0060] Referring to Figure 5 (a) of FIG. 7. The front side half in the first end portion 44 of the first shaft portion 40 is thickened. Therefore, the strength of the first shaft portion 40 is improved. In addition, since the first front surface 45 is inclined, it becomes a guide for the first fitting portion 50 at the time of fitting. The fitting work becomes easy.

[0061] Referring to Figure 5 (c) of FIG. 8, ​ ​(d) of FIG. 6. In the range from the fully open state to the fully closed state, the tip 62 of the first protrusion 60 is always in abutment with the first end surface 53. Therefore, it is possible to always suppress the rattling of the parcel shelf 30 when the parcel shelf 30 is used.

[0062] In addition, as the storage device 10 for a vehicle, the parcel shelf 30 is described as an example, but as other examples, as long as it is a storage device provided in a passenger compartment and opens and closes the opening of the storage portion by a hinge structure, it is not limited to a kind. For example, the structure described above can also be applied to a control box. That is, as long as the effects and advantages of the present application are exerted, the present application is not limited to the example.

[0063] The storage device for a vehicle of the present application is suitable for a parcel shelf of a four-wheeled vehicle.

Claims

1. A storage device for a vehicle, comprising: a first member and a second member which are coupled to each other by a hinge mechanism; a storage portion provided on at least one of the first member and the second member; and an opening of the storage portion which is opened and closed by relative swinging between the first member and the second member, the storage device for a vehicle being capable of shifting between a fully closed state in which the opening is closed and a fully open state in which the opening is opened most, characterized in that: the hinge mechanism has a shaft portion provided on the first member and a substantially C-shaped insertion portion provided on the second member and capable of being fitted by the shaft portion, the first member has a first portion which is capable of abutting against an end surface of the insertion portion within a range of relative swinging of the first member or the second member, thereby being capable of restricting shifting of the second member in an axial direction, when a state in which the shaft portion and the insertion portion are just fitted to each other is regarded as a fitted state, in the fitted state, the first portion is positioned at a position on an inner side of a fitting direction from a center of the shaft portion, and the first portion and the end surface of the insertion portion do not overlap each other when viewed in a length direction of the shaft portion.

2. The storage device for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first portion is a flat surface.

3. The storage device for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: the first portion extends in a direction in which the insertion portion and the shaft portion are fitted.

4. The storage device for a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: the storage device for a vehicle has a second portion which guides the insertion portion to a center in a length direction of the shaft portion as the first member or the second member is swung relatively to change from the fitted state to the fully open state, the second portion is connected to the first portion.

5. A storage device for a vehicle, comprising: a first member and a second member which are coupled to each other by a hinge mechanism; a storage portion provided on at least one of the first member and the second member; and an opening of the storage portion which is opened and closed by relative swinging between the first member and the second member, the hinge mechanism having a shaft portion provided on the first member and a substantially C-shaped insertion portion provided on the second member and capable of being fitted by the shaft portion, the storage device for a vehicle being capable of shifting between a fully closed state in which the opening is closed and a fully open state in which the opening is opened most, characterized in that: the first member has a first portion which is capable of abutting against an end surface of the insertion portion within a range of relative swinging of the first member or the second member, thereby being capable of restricting shifting of the second member in an axial direction, the first portion is positioned at a position on an inner side of a fitting direction from a center of the shaft portion. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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